Humidity and temperature controlled tape drive cleaning

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a method includes making a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle, e.g., of a tape drive, based at least in part on at least one of: an age of one or more tapes, a type of one or more tapes, and an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes. A selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation is made based on the determination.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/733,844, filed Jan. 3, 2013, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to data storage systems, and moreparticularly, this invention relates to system, method and computerprogram product for providing humidity and temperature controlled tapedrive cleaning.

In magnetic storage systems, data is read from and written onto magneticrecording media utilizing magnetic transducers. Data is written on themagnetic recording media by moving a magnetic recording transducer to aposition over the media where the data is to be stored. The magneticrecording transducer then generates a magnetic field, which encodes thedata into the magnetic media. Data is read from the media by similarlypositioning the magnetic read transducer and then sensing the magneticfield of the magnetic media. Read and write operations may beindependently synchronized with the movement of the media to ensure thatthe data can be read from and written to the desired location on themedia.

An important and continuing goal in the data storage industry is that ofincreasing the density of data stored on a medium. For tape storagesystems, that goal has led to increasing the track and linear bitdensity on recording tape, and decreasing the thickness of the magnetictape medium. However, the development of small footprint, higherperformance tape drive systems has created various problems in thedesign of a tape head assembly for use in such systems.

In a tape drive system, magnetic tape is moved over the surface of thetape head at high speed. Usually the tape head is designed to minimizethe spacing between the head and the tape. The spacing between themagnetic head and the magnetic tape is crucial so that the recordinggaps of the transducers, which are the source of the magnetic recordingflux, are in near contact with the tape to effect writing sharptransitions, and so that the read element is in near contact with thetape to provide effective coupling of the magnetic field from the tapeto the read element.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method includes making a determination whether tomodify a cleaning cycle based at least in part on at least one of: anage of one or more tapes, a type of one or more tapes, and an identityof a vendor of one or more tapes. A selection and/or modification of atiming of a cleaning operation is made based on the determination.

In another embodiment, a system includes a magnetic head, a drivemechanism for a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over themagnetic head, and a controller in communication with the magnetic head.The controller is configured and/or programmable to: make adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based at least in parton at least one of: an age of one or more tapes, a type of one or moretapes, and an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes; and make aselection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation basedon the determination of whether to modify a cleaning cycle.

In yet another embodiment, a computer program product includes acomputer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith,the program code readable/executable by a processor to: receive at leastone of temperature information and humidity information about anenvironment in which a tape drive resides, perform an analysis of the atleast one of temperature information and humidity information, make adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on the analysisof the at least one of temperature information and humidity information,make a selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operationfor cleaning the tape drive based on the determination.

In a further embodiment, a method includes receiving at a tape drive atleast one of temperature information and humidity information about anenvironment in which a tape drive resides, performing an analysis of theat least one of temperature information and humidity information, makinga determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle, wherein thedetermination whether to modify the cleaning cycle is based on theanalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation, wherein the analysis includes making a determination thatthe at least one of temperature information and humidity information isin a predetermined range for a predetermined period of time, making aselection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation of thetape drive based on the determination whether to modify the cleaningcycle, and at least one of: an age of one or more tapes used in the tapedrive, a type of one or more tapes used in the tape drive, and anidentity of a vendor of one or more tapes tape used in the tape drive,wherein the analysis of the at least one of temperature and humidityinformation, the determination whether to modify the cleaning cycle, andthe selection and/or modification of the timing of the cleaningoperation of the tape dive is performed by the tape drive.

Any of these embodiments may be implemented in a magnetic data storagesystem such as a tape drive system, which may include a magnetic head, adrive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium (e.g., recording tape)over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to themagnetic head.

Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken inconjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a simplified tape drive systemaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a tape cartridge according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a flat-lapped, bi-directional,two-module magnetic tape head according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a tape bearing surface view taken from Line 2A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is a detailed view taken from Circle 2B of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a detailed view of a partial tape bearing surface of a pairof modules.

FIG. 3 is a partial tape bearing surface view of a magnetic head havinga write-read-write configuration.

FIG. 4 is a partial tape bearing surface view of a magnetic head havinga read-write-read configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a magnetic tape head with three modulesaccording to one embodiment where the modules all generally lie alongabout parallel planes.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a magnetic tape head with three modules in atangent (angled) configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a magnetic tape head with three modules in anoverwrap configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates a tape drive canister, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9C show a plurality of tape drive canisters installed in a tapelibrary, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating thegeneral principles of the present invention and is not meant to limitthe inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular featuresdescribed herein can be used in combination with other describedfeatures in each of the various possible combinations and permutations.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless otherwise specified.

The following description discloses several preferred embodiments ofmagnetic storage systems, as well as operation and/or component partsthereof.

In one general embodiment, a method includes receiving at least one oftemperature information and humidity information about an environment inwhich a tape drive resides, performing an analysis of the at least oneof temperature information and humidity information, making adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on the analysisof the at least one of temperature information and humidity information,and making a selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaningoperation of the tape drive based on the determination.

In another general embodiment, a system includes a magnetic head, adrive mechanism for a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium overthe magnetic head, and a controller in communication with the magnetichead, wherein the controller is configured and/or programmable to:receive at least one of temperature information and humidity informationabout an environment in which a tape drive resides, the tape drivehaving the magnetic head and the drive mechanism, perform an analysis ofthe at least one of temperature information and humidity information,make a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on theanalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation, make a selection and/or modification of a timing of acleaning operation of the tape drive based on the determination ofwhether to modify a cleaning cycle.

In yet another general embodiment, a computer program product includes acomputer readable storage medium having program code embodied therewith,the program code readable/executable by a processor to: receive at leastone of temperature information and humidity information about anenvironment in which a tape drive resides, perform an analysis of the atleast one of temperature information and humidity information, make adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on the analysisof the at least one of temperature information and humidity information,make a selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operationof the tape drive based on the determination.

In a further general embodiment, a method includes receiving at a tapedrive at least one of temperature information and humidity informationabout an environment in which a tape drive resides, performing ananalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation, making a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle,wherein the determination whether to modify the cleaning cycle is basedon the analysis of the at least one of temperature information andhumidity information, wherein the analysis includes making adetermination that the at least one of temperature information andhumidity information is in a predetermined range for a predeterminedperiod of time, making a selection and/or modification of a timing of acleaning operation of the tape drive based on the determination whetherto modify the cleaning cycle, and at least one of: an age of one or moretapes used in the tape drive, a type of one or more tapes used in thetape drive, and an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes tape usedin the tape drive, wherein the analysis of the at least one oftemperature and humidity information, the determination whether tomodify the cleaning cycle, and the selection and/or modification of thetiming of the cleaning operation of the tape dive is performed by thetape drive.

FIG. 1A illustrates a simplified tape drive 100 of a tape-based datastorage system, which may be employed in the context of the presentinvention. While one specific implementation of a tape drive is shown inFIG. 1A, it should be noted that the embodiments described herein may beimplemented in the context of any type of tape drive system.

As shown, a tape supply cartridge 120 and a take-up reel 121 areprovided to support a tape 122. One or more of the reels may form partof a removable cartridge and are not necessarily part of the system 100.The tape drive, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1A, may further includedrive motor(s) to drive the tape supply cartridge 120 and the take-upreel 121 to move the tape 122 over a tape head 126 of any type. Suchhead may include an array of readers, writers, or both.

Guides 125 guide the tape 122 across the tape head 126. Such tape head126 is in turn coupled to a controller 128 via a cable 130. Thecontroller 128, may be or include a processor and/or any logic forcontrolling any subsystem of the drive 100. For example, the controller128 typically controls head functions such as servo following, datawriting, data reading, etc. The controller 128 may operate under logicknown in the art, as well as any logic disclosed herein. The controller128 may be coupled to a memory 136 of any known type, which may storeinstructions executable by the controller 128. Moreover, the controller128 may be configured and/or programmable to perform or control some orall of the methodology presented herein. Thus, the controller may beconsidered configured to perform various operations by way of logicprogrammed into a chip; software, firmware, or other instructions beingavailable to a processor; etc. and combinations thereof.

The cable 130 may include read/write circuits to transmit data to thehead 126 to be recorded on the tape 122 and to receive data read by thehead 126 from the tape 122. An actuator 132 controls position of thehead 126 relative to the tape 122.

An interface 134 may also be provided for communication between the tapedrive 100 and a host (integral or external) to send and receive the dataand for controlling the operation of the tape drive 100 andcommunicating the status of the tape drive 100 to the host, all as willbe understood by those of skill in the art.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary tape cartridge 150 according to oneembodiment. Such tape cartridge 150 may be used with a system such asthat shown in FIG. 1A. As shown, the tape cartridge 150 includes ahousing 152, a tape 122 in the housing 152, and a nonvolatile memory 156coupled to the housing 152. In some approaches, the nonvolatile memory156 may be embedded inside the housing 152, as shown in FIG. 1B. In moreapproaches, the nonvolatile memory 156 may be attached to the inside oroutside of the housing 152 without modification of the housing 152. Forexample, the nonvolatile memory may be embedded in a self-adhesivelabel. In one preferred embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 156 may be aFlash memory device, ROM device, etc., embedded into or coupled to theinside or outside of the tape cartridge 150. The nonvolatile memory isaccessible by the tape drive and the tape operating software (the driversoftware), and/or other device.

By way of example, FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a flat-lapped,bi-directional, two-module magnetic tape head 200 which may beimplemented in the context of the present invention. As shown, the headincludes a pair of bases 202, each equipped with a module 204, and fixedat a small angle α with respect to each other. The bases may be“U-beams” that are adhesively coupled together. Each module 204 includesa substrate 204A and a closure 204B with a thin film portion, commonlyreferred to as a “gap” in which the readers and/or writers 206 areformed. In use, a tape 208 is moved over the modules 204 along a media(tape) bearing surface 209 in the manner shown for reading and writingdata on the tape 208 using the readers and writers. The wrap angle θ ofthe tape 208 at edges going onto and exiting the flat media supportsurfaces 209 are usually between about 0.1 degree and about 5 degrees.

The substrates 204A are typically constructed of a wear resistantmaterial, such as a ceramic. The closures 204B made of the same orsimilar ceramic as the substrates 204A.

The readers and writers may be arranged in a piggyback or mergedconfiguration. An illustrative piggybacked configuration comprises a(magnetically inductive) writer transducer on top of (or below) a(magnetically shielded) reader transducer (e.g., a magnetoresistivereader, etc.), wherein the poles of the writer and the shields of thereader are generally separated. An illustrative merged configurationcomprises one reader shield in the same physical layer as one writerpole (hence, “merged”). The readers and writers may also be arranged inan interleaved configuration. Alternatively, each array of channels maybe readers or writers only. Any of these arrays may contain one or moreservo track readers for reading servo data on the medium.

FIG. 2A illustrates the tape bearing surface 209 of one of the modules204 taken from Line 2A of FIG. 2. A representative tape 208 is shown indashed lines. The module 204 is preferably long enough to be able tosupport the tape as the head steps between data bands.

In this example, the tape 208 includes 4 to 22 data bands, e.g., with 8data bands and 9 servo tracks 210, as shown in FIG. 2A on a one-halfinch wide tape 208. The data bands are defined between servo tracks 210.Each data band may include a number of data tracks, for example 1024data tracks (not shown). During read/write operations, the readersand/or writers 206 are positioned to specific track positions within oneof the data bands. Outer readers, sometimes called servo readers, readthe servo tracks 210. The servo signals are in turn used to keep thereaders and/or writers 206 aligned with a particular set of tracksduring the read/write operations.

FIG. 2B depicts a plurality of readers and/or writers 206 formed in agap 218 on the module 204 in Circle 2B of FIG. 2A. As shown, the arrayof readers and writers 206 includes, for example, 16 writers 214, 16readers 216 and two servo readers 212, though the number of elements mayvary. Illustrative embodiments include 8, 16, 32, 40, and 64 activereaders and/or writers 206 per array, and alternatively interleaveddesigns having odd numbers of reader or writers such as 17, 25, 33, etc.An illustrative embodiment includes 32 readers per array and/or 32writers per array, where the actual number of transducer elements couldbe greater, e.g., 33, 34, etc. This allows the tape to travel moreslowly, thereby reducing speed-induced tracking and mechanicaldifficulties and/or execute fewer “wraps” to fill or read the tape.While the readers and writers may be arranged in a piggybackconfiguration as shown in FIG. 2B, the readers 216 and writers 214 mayalso be arranged in an interleaved configuration. Alternatively, eacharray of readers and/or writers 206 may be readers or writers only, andthe arrays may contain one or more servo readers 212. As noted byconsidering FIGS. 2 and 2A-B together, each module 204 may include acomplementary set of readers and/or writers 206 for such things asbi-directional reading and writing, read-while-write capability,backward compatibility, etc.

FIG. 2C shows a partial tape bearing surface view of complimentarymodules of a magnetic tape head 200 according to one embodiment. In thisembodiment, each module has a plurality of read/write (R/W) pairs in apiggyback configuration formed on a common substrate 204A and anoptional electrically insulative layer 236. The writers, exemplified bythe write head 214 and the readers, exemplified by the read head 216,are aligned parallel to a direction of travel of a tape mediumthereacross to form an R/W pair, exemplified by the R/W pair 222.

Several R/W pairs 222 may be present, such as 8, 16, 32 pairs, etc. TheR/W pairs 222 as shown are linearly aligned in a direction generallyperpendicular to a direction of tape travel thereacross. However, thepairs may also be aligned diagonally, etc. Servo readers 212 arepositioned on the outside of the array of R/W pairs, the function ofwhich is well known.

Generally, the magnetic tape medium moves in either a forward or reversedirection as indicated by arrow 220. The magnetic tape medium and headassembly 200 operate in a transducing relationship in the mannerwell-known in the art. The piggybacked MR head assembly 200 includes twothin-film modules 224 and 226 of generally identical construction.

Modules 224 and 226 are joined together with a space present betweenclosures 204B thereof (partially shown) to form a single physical unitto provide read-while-write capability by activating the writer of theleading module and reader of the trailing module aligned with the writerof the leading module parallel to the direction of tape travel relativethereto. When a module 224, 226 of a piggyback head 200 is constructed,layers are formed in the gap 218 created above an electricallyconductive substrate 204A (partially shown), e.g., of AlTiC, ingenerally the following order for the R/W pairs 222: an insulating layer236, a first shield 232 typically of an iron alloy such as NiFe (−), CZTor Al—Fe—Si (Sendust), a sensor 234 for sensing a data track on amagnetic medium, a second shield 238 typically of a nickel-iron alloy(e.g., ˜80/20 at % NiFe, also known as permalloy), first and secondwriter pole tips 228, 230, and a coil (not shown). The sensor may be ofany known type, including those based on MR, GMR, AMR, tunnelingmagnetoresistance (TMR), etc.

The first and second writer poles 228, 230 may be fabricated from highmagnetic moment materials such as ˜45/55 NiFe. Note that these materialsare provided by way of example only, and other materials may be used.Additional layers such as insulation between the shields and/or poletips and an insulation layer surrounding the sensor may be present.Illustrative materials for the insulation include alumina and otheroxides, insulative polymers, etc.

The configuration of the tape head 126 according to one embodimentincludes multiple modules, preferably three or more. In awrite-read-write (W-R-W) head, outer modules for writing flank one ormore inner modules for reading. Referring to FIG. 3, depicting a W-R-Wconfiguration, the outer modules 252, 256 each include one or morearrays of writers 260. The inner module 254 of FIG. 3 includes one ormore arrays of readers 258 in a similar configuration. Variations of amulti-module head include a R-W-R head (FIG. 4), a R-R-W head, a W-W-Rhead, etc. In yet other variations, one or more of the modules may haveread/write pairs of transducers. Moreover, more than three modules maybe present. In further approaches, two outer modules may flank two ormore inner modules, e.g., in a W-R-R-W, a R-W-W-R arrangement, etc. Forsimplicity, a W-R-W head is used primarily herein to exemplifyembodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art apprisedwith the teachings herein will appreciate how permutations of thepresent invention would apply to configurations other than a W-R-Wconfiguration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a magnetic head 126 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention that includes first, second and third modules 302,304, 306 each having a tape bearing surface 308, 310, 312 respectively,which may be flat, contoured, etc. Note that while the term “tapebearing surface” appears to imply that the surface facing the tape 315is in physical contact with the tape bearing surface, this is notnecessarily the case. Rather, only a portion of the tape may be incontact with the tape bearing surface, constantly or intermittently,with other portions of the tape riding (or “flying”) above the tapebearing surface on a layer of air, sometimes referred to as an “airbearing”. The first module 302 will be referred to as the “leading”module as it is the first module encountered by the tape in a threemodule design for tape moving in the indicated direction. The thirdmodule 306 will be referred to as the “trailing” module. The trailingmodule follows the middle module and is the last module seen by the tapein a three module design. The leading and trailing modules 302, 306 arereferred to collectively as outer modules. Also note that the outermodules 302, 306 will alternate as leading modules, depending on thedirection of travel of the tape 315.

In one embodiment, the tape bearing surfaces 308, 310, 312 of the first,second and third modules 302, 304, 306 lie on about parallel planes(which is meant to include parallel and nearly parallel planes, e.g.,between parallel and tangential as in FIG. 6), and the tape bearingsurface 310 of the second module 304 is above the tape bearing surfaces308, 312 of the first and third modules 302, 306. As described below,this has the effect of creating the desired wrap angle α₂ of the taperelative to the tape bearing surface 310 of the second module 304.

Where the tape bearing surfaces 308, 310, 312 lie along parallel ornearly parallel yet offset planes, intuitively, the tape should peel offof the tape bearing surface 308 of the leading module 302. However, thevacuum created by the skiving edge 318 of the leading module 302 hasbeen found by experimentation to be sufficient to keep the tape adheredto the tape bearing surface 308 of the leading module 302. The trailingedge 320 of the leading module 302 (the end from which the tape leavesthe leading module 302) is the approximate reference point which definesthe wrap angle α₂ over the tape bearing surface 310 of the second module304. The tape stays in close proximity to the tape bearing surface untilclose to the trailing edge 320 of the leading module 302. Accordingly,read and/or write elements 322 may be located near the trailing edges ofthe outer modules 302, 306. These embodiments are particularly adaptedfor write-read-write applications.

A benefit of this and other embodiments described herein is that,because the outer modules 302, 306 are fixed at a determined offset fromthe second module 304, the inner wrap angle α₂ is fixed when the modules302, 304, 306 are coupled together or are otherwise fixed into a head.The inner wrap angle α₂ is approximately tan⁻¹(δ/W) where δ is theheight difference between the planes of the tape bearing surfaces 308,310 and W is the width between the opposing ends of the tape bearingsurfaces 308, 310. An illustrative inner wrap angle α₂ is in a range ofabout 0.5° to about 1.1°, though can be any angle required by thedesign.

Beneficially, the inner wrap angle α₂ may be set slightly less on theside of the module 304 receiving the tape (leading edge) than the innerwrap angle α₃ on the trailing edge, as the tape 315 rides above thetrailing module 306. This difference is generally beneficial as asmaller α₃ tends to oppose what has heretofore been a steeper exitingeffective wrap angle.

Note that the tape bearing surfaces 308, 312 of the outer modules 302,306 are positioned to achieve a negative wrap angle at the trailing edge320 of the leading module 302. This is generally beneficial in helpingto reduce friction due to contact with the trailing edge 320, providedthat proper consideration is given to the location of the crowbar regionthat forms in the tape where it peels off the head. This negative wrapangle also reduces flutter and scrubbing damage to the elements on theleading module 302. Further, at the trailing module 306, the tape 315flies over the tape bearing surface 312 so there is virtually no wear onthe elements when tape is moving in this direction. Particularly, thetape 315 entrains air and so will not significantly ride on the tapebearing surface 312 of the third module 306 (some contact may occur).This is permissible, because the leading module 302 is writing while thetrailing module 306 is idle.

Writing and reading functions are performed by different modules at anygiven time. In one embodiment, the second module 304 includes aplurality of data and optional servo readers 331 and no writers. Thefirst and third modules 302, 306 include a plurality of writers 322 andno readers, with the exception that the outer modules 302, 306 mayinclude optional servo readers. The servo readers may be used toposition the head during reading and/or writing operations. The servoreader(s) on each module are typically located towards the end of thearray of readers or writers.

By having only readers or side by side writers and servo readers in thegap between the substrate and closure, the gap length can besubstantially reduced. Typical heads have piggybacked readers andwriters, where the writer is formed above each reader. A typical gap is25-35 microns. However, irregularities on the tape may tend to droopinto the gap and create gap erosion. Thus, the smaller the gap is thebetter. The smaller gap enabled herein exhibits fewer wear relatedproblems.

In some embodiments, the second module 304 has a closure, while thefirst and third modules 302, 306 do not have a closure. Where there isno closure, preferably a hard coating is added to the module. Onepreferred coating is diamond-like carbon (DLC).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the first, second, and third modules302, 304, 306 each have a closure 332, 334, 336, which extends the tapebearing surface of the associated module, thereby effectivelypositioning the read/write elements away from the edge of the tapebearing surface. The closure 332 on the second module 304 can be aceramic closure of a type typically found on tape heads. The closures334, 336 of the first and third modules 302, 306, however, may beshorter than the closure 332 of the second module 304 as measuredparallel to a direction of tape travel over the respective module. Thisenables positioning the modules closer together. One way to produceshorter closures 334, 336 is to lap the standard ceramic closures of thesecond module 304 an additional amount. Another way is to plate ordeposit thin film closures above the elements during thin filmprocessing. For example, a thin film closure of a hard material such asSendust or nickel-iron alloy (e.g., 45/55) can be formed on the module.

With reduced-thickness ceramic or thin film closures 334, 336 or noclosures on the outer modules 302, 306, the write-to-read gap spacingcan be reduced to less than about 1 mm, e.g., about 0.75 mm, or 50% lessthan standard LTO tape head spacing. The open space between the modules302, 304, 306 can still be set to approximately 0.5 to 0.6 mm, which insome embodiments is ideal for stabilizing tape motion over the secondmodule 304.

Depending on tape tension and stiffness, it may be desirable to anglethe tape bearing surfaces of the outer modules relative to the tapebearing surface of the second module. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodimentwhere the modules 302, 304, 306 are in a tangent or nearly tangent(angled) configuration. Particularly, the tape bearing surfaces of theouter modules 302, 306 are about parallel to the tape at the desiredwrap angle α₂ of the second module 304. In other words, the planes ofthe tape bearing surfaces 308, 312 of the outer modules 302, 306 areoriented at about the desired wrap angle α₂ of the tape 315 relative tothe second module 304. The tape will also pop off of the trailing module306 in this embodiment, thereby reducing wear on the elements in thetrailing module 306. These embodiments are particularly useful forwrite-read-write applications. Additional aspects of these embodimentsare similar to those given above.

Typically, the tape wrap angles may be set about midway between theembodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment where the modules 302, 304, 306 are inan overwrap configuration. Particularly, the tape bearing surfaces 308,312 of the outer modules 302, 306 are angled slightly more than the tape315 when set at the desired wrap angle α₂ relative to the second module304. In this embodiment, the tape does not pop off of the trailingmodule, allowing it to be used for writing or reading. Accordingly, theleading and middle modules can both perform reading and/or writingfunctions while the trailing module can read any just-written data.Thus, these embodiments are preferred for write-read-write,read-write-read, and write-write-read applications. In the latterembodiments, closures should be wider than the tape canopies forensuring read capability. The wider closures will force a widergap-to-gap separation. Therefore a preferred embodiment has awrite-read-write configuration, which may use shortened closures thatthus allow closer gap-to-gap separation.

Additional aspects of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are similarto those given above.

A 32 channel version of a multi-module head 126 may use cables 350having leads on the same pitch as current 16 channel piggyback LTOmodules, or alternatively the connections on the module may beorgan-keyboarded for a 50% reduction in cable span. Over-under, writingpair unshielded cables can be used for the writers, which may haveintegrated servo readers.

The outer wrap angles α₁ may be set in the drive, such as by guides ofany type known in the art, such as adjustable rollers, slides, etc. Forexample, rollers having an offset axis may be used to set the wrapangles. The offset axis creates an orbital arc of rotation, allowingprecise alignment of the wrap angle α₁.

To assemble any of the embodiments described above, conventional u-beamassembly can be used. Accordingly, the mass of the resultant head can bemaintained or even reduced relative to heads of previous generations. Inother approaches, the modules may be constructed as a unitary body.Those skilled in the art, armed with the present teachings, willappreciate that other known methods of manufacturing such heads may beadapted for use in constructing such heads.

Conventional tape drives are typically designed to operate in variousenvironmental conditions, including both high and low temperature andhumidity ranges. Debris buildup in tape drives most often occurs in lowrelative temperature humidity environments. Debris buildup on themagnetic heads of a tape drive often results in marked increases inreading and writing times. Additionally, debris buildup on the tapeitself often results in the spread of the debris from tape drive to tapedrive, similarly resulting in longer read and write times. Despite theproblems associated with variable rates of debris buildup, cleaningcycles of conventional tape drives are generally the same for allenvironments.

Embodiments disclosed herein overcome the aforementioned drawbacks byproviding a system, method and computer program product for automating atape drive cleaning operation as a function of temperature and/orhumidity. In preferred embodiments, information concerning anenvironmental condition, such as temperature information and/or humidityinformation, may be derived from one or more sensors on a tape drive ora canister coupled thereto; and/or from one or more sensors locatedremotely from the tape drive, e.g., inside or outside a tape library;etc. or any combination thereof. In further embodiments, the informationmay be received and analyzed by the tape drive, a controller locatedremotely from the tape drive (e.g., a library controller), etc., inorder to determine whether a cleaning cycle should be selected and/ormodified.

FIG. 8 shows a rear perspective view of a tape drive canister 800according to one embodiment. Several components 806 may be used toachieve a mechanical docking to an automated tape library. Also shownare latches 802 for mechanical docking to a tape library, a side-dockingcard 804 to allow mechanical docking into the tape library, afront-facing electrical docking connector 808 for electricalcommunication with the tape library. A tape drive brick 810 is coupledto the tape drive canister 800.

One or more sensors 812 may be located on the tape drive brick 810 (asshown in FIG. 8) and/or the tape drive canister 800 coupled thereto. Insome embodiments, the one or more sensors may measure, detect, derive,etc., various environmental conditions, including but not limited to,temperature information, humidity information, etc. or any combinationthereof.

Automated tape libraries are generally large storage devices that have arobotic accessor that moves tape cartridges between storage shelves andtape drives in the library. The tape drives are typically put incanisters which act as a sled or conveyance device to allow the tapedrives to more easily be inserted and removed from the automated tapelibrary as well as provide an interface for power and communicationsbetween the automated tape library and the tape drive. Very often thesetape drive canisters ‘hot dock’ into the automated tape library suchthat as soon as the tape drive canister is fully seated into a slot inthe automated tape library, the electrical connection is establishedbetween the tape drive canister and electronics of the automated tapelibrary. The tape drive canisters may then be held in this ‘docked’position using some physical mechanism, such as a latch, thumbscrew,catch, friction fitting, etc.

FIG. 9A is an isometric view of a tape library 900 according to oneembodiment. While no robotic accessor is shown, one is typically presentfor transporting tape cartridges to and from the drives, as would beunderstood by one skilled in the art upon reading the presentdescription. One or more sensors 912 may be located within the frame 902of the tape library 900. In various embodiments, the one or more sensorsmay measure, detect, derive, etc., various environmental conditions,including but not limited to, temperature information, humidityinformation, etc. or any combination thereof.

FIG. 9B is a front view of a tape library 900 with the front doorremoved to better show the dense packing of tape drive canisters 800.

FIG. 9C shows a rear view of the tape library 900 with the rear doorremoved to show the dense packing of tape drive canister bays 906 whichare adapted for accepting tape drive canisters. Some tape drives 810 areshown in the bays 906. A library controller 914 of a type known in theart may also be present. Such controller may be programmed, modified,etc. to provide aspects of the present invention.

As can be seen from FIGS. 9A-9C, the tape drive canisters 800 may bepacked into the frame 902, thereby allowing, several tape drivecanisters 800 to be positioned in a tape drive canister bay array 904 inan upper portion of the frame 902 while a plurality of tape cartridges910 are capable of being stored in a plurality of tape cartridge storageshelves 908 in a lower portion of the frame 902.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a method 1000 for temperature controlled andhumidity controlled tape drive cleaning is shown according to oneillustrative embodiment. As an option, the present method 1000 may beimplemented in conjunction with features from any other embodimentslisted herein, such as those shown in the other FIGS. Of course,however, this method 1000 and others presented herein may be used invarious applications and/or permutations, which may or may not berelated to the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, themethod 1000 presented herein may be carried out in any desiredenvironment. Moreover, more or less operations than those shown in FIG.10 may be included in method 1000, according to various embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 10 according to one approach, the method 1000 includesreceiving at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation about an environment in which a tape drive resides. Seeoperation 1002.

In one embodiment, the temperature information and/or humidityinformation may be received by the tape drive. In another embodiment,the temperature information and/or humidity information may be receivedby a controller located remotely from the tape drive. As used herein, acontroller may include but is not limited to, a library controller orother such suitable controller as would be understood by one havingskill in the art upon reading the present disclosure.

In yet another embodiment one of temperature information and/or humidityinformation may be received by the tape drive, where another oftemperature information and/or humidity information may be received by acontroller located remotely from the tape drive. Each device may processthe information separately, one device may forward the information tothe other device for processing there, etc.

In a further embodiment, the temperature information and/or humidityinformation may be derived from one or more sensors on the tape drive ora canister coupled thereto. According to another embodiment, thetemperature information and/or humidity information may be derived fromone or more sensors located remotely from the tape drive. For example,the one or more sensors may be located in a tape library in variousembodiments.

According to yet another embodiment, the temperature information and/orhumidity information may be derived from one or more sensor locatedremotely from the tape drive, e.g. a tape library, wherein another ofthe temperature information and/or humidity information may be derivedfrom one or more sensors located on the tape drive or a canister coupledthereto.

With continued reference to FIG. 10, the method 1000 also includesperforming an analysis of the at least one of temperature informationand humidity information. See operation 1004.

According to one approach, the analysis of the temperature informationand/or humidity information may be performed by the tape drive. Inanother approach, the analysis of the temperature information and/orhumidity information may be performed by a controller located remotelyfrom the tape drive. In yet another approach, the analysis of thetemperature information and/or humidity information may be performed bya controller located remotely from the tape drive, such as a librarycontroller, a host, etc., while another of the temperature informationand/or humidity information may be performed by the tape drive.

In some approaches, the temperature information and/or humidityinformation may be received by the tape drive, and the analysis of thetemperature information and/or humidity information may be performed bythe tape drive. In other approaches, the temperature information and/orhumidity information may be received by a controller located remotelyfrom the tape drive, and the analysis of the temperature informationand/or humidity information may be performed by the controller locatedremotely from the tape drive. It is important to note that there aremany combinations for the receipt of the temperature information and/orhumidity information and the analysis of the temperature informationand/or humidity information that may be created based on the embodimentsdescribed herein, as would be recognized by one having skill in the artupon reading the present disclosure.

In additional approaches, the analysis of the temperature informationand/or humidity information may include determining whether thetemperature information and/or humidity information is in apredetermined range for a predetermined period of time. In someembodiments, the range may be pre-set (e.g., at installation), may bedetermined at or after some interval based on parameters such as ahistoric operating temperature, etc. or any combination thereof.Additionally, in other embodiments the range may include a sensor valueabove or below a threshold. In various embodiments, the range may beselected to prevent any action based on a spike in the temperatureinformation and/or humidity information. As used herein, a spike mayinclude any value that is not within the predetermined range and thatpersists for a time period less than the predetermined time period. Forexample, where there is merely a spike in the temperature informationand/or humidity information and said spike does not persist for thepredetermined time period, no action (e.g. a modification of a cleaningcycle) may be necessary.

Further, in some embodiments, the predetermined time period and/or anyinterval between the predetermined time periods, may be periodic,varied, computed, received, calculated based on some criteria such asthe rate at which temperature information and/or humidity informationchanges, etc.

By way of example only, one illustrative embodiment may includereceiving the temperature information and/or humidity information everyfive minutes, and performing an analysis of whether the temperatureinformation and/or humidity information remains in a predetermined rangefor a predetermined 3 hour time period. Where the temperatureinformation and/or humidity information remains in the predeterminedrange for the predetermined 3 hour time period, a first cleaning cyclemay be selected. However, where the temperature information and/orhumidity information does not fall within the predetermined range forthe predetermined 3 hour time period, a second cleaning cycle may beselected, where the second cleaning cycle is different than the firstcleaning cycle; the first cleaning cycle may be selected and modified;etc.

Again with reference to FIG. 10, the method 1000 includes making adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on the analysisof the at least one of temperature information and humidity information,and making a selection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaningoperation of the tape drive based on the determination. See operations1006 and 1008, respectively.

In some embodiments, the timing of the cleaning operation may includethe frequency of the cleaning operation, the length of the cleaningoperation, etc. or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the selection and/or modificationof the timing of the cleaning operation is further modified based atleast in part on other factors such as an age of one or more tapes usedin the tape drive, a type of one or more tapes used in in the tapedrive, an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes tape used in thetape drive, etc. Such information may be determined based on apresently-loaded tape, historical data about tapes loaded in the tapedrive, etc. and combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment,knowledge that use of media from certain vendors in particulartemperature and/or humidity ranges results in more rapid fouling of adrive may be used to alter the timing of cleaning the drive more often.Thus, while temperature and humidity are major factors for determiningtiming of cleanings, other factors may be combined to make better andsmarter decisions about how to alter the timing.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a method 1100 for temperature controlled andhumidity controlled tape drive cleaning is shown according to oneillustrative embodiment. As an option, the present method 1100 may beimplemented in conjunction with features from any other embodimentslisted herein, such as those shown in the other FIGS. Of course,however, this method 1100 and others presented herein may be used invarious applications and/or permutations, which may or may not berelated to the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Further, themethod 1100 presented herein may be carried out in any desiredenvironment. Moreover, more or less operations than those shown in FIG.11 may be included in method 1100, according to various embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 11 according to one approach, the method 1000 includesreceiving at a tape drive at least one of temperature information andhumidity information about an environment in which a tape drive resides.See operation 1002.

In one embodiment one of temperature information and/or humidityinformation may be received by the tape drive directly from a sensor,where another of temperature information and/or humidity information maybe received by a controller located remotely from the tape drive andsent to the tape drive for processing.

Per operation 1104, the method 1100 also includes performing an analysisof the at least one of temperature information and humidity information,where the analysis of the at least one of temperature information andhumidity information is performed by the tape drive.

In operation 1106, the method 1100 includes making a determinationwhether to modify a cleaning cycle, where the determination whether tomodify the cleaning cycle is based on at the analysis of the at leastone of temperature information and humidity information, wherein theanalysis included making a determination that the at least one oftemperature information and humidity information is in a predeterminedrange for a predetermined period of time. The determination of whetherto modify the cleaning cycle is performed by the tape drive, as shown inFIG. 11.

Further, the method 1100 additionally includes making a selection and/ormodification of a timing (e.g. the frequency, length, etc.) of acleaning operation of the tape drive based on the determination whetherto modify the cleaning cycle, and at least one of: an age of one or moretapes used in the tape drive, a type of one or more tapes used in in thetape drive, and an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes tape usedin the tape drive. See operation 1108. As also shown in FIG. 11, theselection and/or modification of the timing of the cleaning operation ofthe tape dive is performed by the tape drive.

It will be clear that the various features of the foregoing systemsand/or methodologies may be combined in any way, creating a plurality ofcombinations from the descriptions presented above.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as “logic,” a “circuit,” “module,” or“system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take theform of a computer program product embodied in one or more computerreadable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodiedthereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. A computerreadable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium include the following: aportable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (e.g.,CD-ROM), a Blu-ray disc read-only memory (BD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium may be any tangible medium that is capable ofcontaining, or storing a program or application for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and that cancommunicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,such as an electrical connection having one or more wires, an opticalfibre, etc.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fibre cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer, for example through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart(s) and/orblock diagram block or blocks.

It will be further appreciated that embodiments of the present inventionmay be provided in the form of a service deployed on behalf of acustomer.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of an embodiment of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: making a determinationwhether to modify a cleaning cycle based at least in part on at leastone of: an age of one or more tapes, a type of one or more tapes, and anidentity of a vendor of one or more tapes; and making a selection and/ormodification of a timing of a cleaning operation based on thedetermination.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising performingthe cleaning operation on a head of a tape drive according to thetiming.
 3. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising performing ananalysis of at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation, wherein the analysis includes determining whether the atleast one of temperature information and humidity information is in apredetermined range for a predetermined period of time, and comprisingmaking a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on theanalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation.
 4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the determiningis performed by a tape drive to be cleaned during the cleaningoperation.
 5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining isperformed by a controller located remotely from a tape drive to becleaned during the cleaning operation.
 6. A method as recited in claim1, wherein the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation is derived from one or more sensors on a tape drive to becleaned during the cleaning operation and/or a canister coupled thereto.7. A method as recited in claim 1, comprising performing an analysis ofat least one of temperature information and humidity information,wherein the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation is derived from one or more sensors located remotely from atape drive to be cleaned during the cleaning operation, and comprisingmaking a determination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on theanalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation.
 8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least oneof temperature information and humidity information is received by thetape drive, wherein the analysis of the at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information is performed by the tape drive. 9.A method as recited in claim 1, comprising performing an analysis of atleast one of temperature information and humidity information, whereinone of the temperature information and humidity information is derivedfrom one or more sensors located remotely from a tape drive to becleaned during the cleaning operation, wherein another of thetemperature information and humidity information is derived from one ormore sensors located on the tape drive or a canister coupled thereto,and comprising making a determination whether to modify a cleaning cyclebased on the analysis of the at least one of temperature information andhumidity information.
 10. A system; comprising: a magnetic head; a drivemechanism for a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium over themagnetic head; and a controller in communication with the magnetic head,wherein the controller is configured and/or programmable to: make adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based at least in parton at least one of: an age of one or more tapes, a type of one or moretapes, and an identity of a vendor of one or more tapes; and make aselection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation basedon the determination of whether to modify a cleaning cycle.
 11. A systemas recited in claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to causeperformance of the cleaning operation on the magnetic head according tothe timing.
 12. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the controlleris configured and/or programmable to perform an analysis of at least oneof temperature information and humidity information, wherein theanalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation includes determining whether the at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information is in a predetermined range for apredetermined period of time, wherein the controller is configuredand/or programmable to make a determination whether to modify a cleaningcycle based on the analysis of the at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information.
 13. A system as recited in claim10, wherein the controller is in a tape drive.
 14. A system as recitedin claim 10, wherein the controller is located remotely from a tapedrive to be cleaned during the cleaning operation.
 15. A system asrecited in claim 10, wherein the controller is configured and/orprogrammable to perform an analysis of at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information, wherein the at least one oftemperature information and humidity information is derived from one ormore sensors on a tape drive to be cleaned during the cleaning operationand/or a canister coupled thereto, wherein the controller is configuredand/or programmable to make a determination whether to modify a cleaningcycle based on the analysis of the at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information.
 16. A system as recited in claim10, wherein the controller is configured and/or programmable to performan analysis of at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation, wherein the at least one of temperature information andhumidity information is derived from one or more sensors locatedremotely from a tape drive to be cleaned during the cleaning operation,wherein the controller is configured and/or programmable to make adetermination whether to modify a cleaning cycle based on the analysisof the at least one of temperature information and humidity information.17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the at least one oftemperature information and humidity information is received by the tapedrive, wherein the controller is in the tape drive.
 18. A system asrecited in claim 10, wherein the controller is configured and/orprogrammable to perform an analysis of at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information, wherein one of the temperatureinformation and humidity information is derived from one or more sensorslocated remotely from a tape drive to be cleaned during the cleaningoperation, wherein another of the temperature information and humidityinformation is derived from one or more sensors located on the tapedrive or a canister coupled thereto, wherein the controller isconfigured and/or programmable to make a determination whether to modifya cleaning cycle based on the analysis of the at least one oftemperature information and humidity information.
 19. A computer programproduct, the computer program product comprising: a computer readablestorage medium having program code embodied therewith, the program codereadable/executable by a processor to: receive, by the processor, atleast one of temperature information and humidity information about anenvironment in which a tape drive resides; perform, by the processor, ananalysis of the at least one of temperature information and humidityinformation; make, by the processor, a determination whether to modify acleaning cycle based on the analysis of the at least one of temperatureinformation and humidity information; and make, by the processor, aselection and/or modification of a timing of a cleaning operation forcleaning the tape drive based on the determination.
 20. A computerprogram product as recited in claim 19, wherein the analysis of the atleast one of temperature information and humidity information includesdetermining whether the at least one of temperature information andhumidity information is in a predetermined range for a predeterminedperiod of time.